Honey Lavender Cupcakes with Honey Cream Cheese Frosting

I am in LOVE with these cakes! They are just perfect for an afternoon tea or a late night snack. After reading the recipe I thought these sounded amazing and I knew that I had to try them. A success- no complaints!

Lavender is an interesting flavour. It is very polarising and I found that this recipe was a perfect balance between the sweet and floral flavours. An interesting perspective on different tastes, I only tasted the cream cheese and lavender but most people really enjoyed the honey undertones. Funny how everyone is just a little different!

As I sit here on typing away at this post, I have been thinking that it is a really interesting way of communicating with people. I am an Australian girl who grew up in regional areas and I find that the people in the blogosphere are so diverse. I am following people in America, England, Australia, and some who prefer Asian flavours, baking or Middle-Eastern cuisine. I find that even through the comments and little blurbs that people put up on their pages, we are communicating in a very interesting way.

I started this blog because I love baking. I love to cook as well, but I have always been better at baking than cooking in a more nutritious format. I used to sift through the pages and categories in the wonderful world that is Pinterest and think about all these bloggers out there cooking and photographing amazing foods. I love that there is so much personality that can be expressed through a blog, and even if it is just a rambling post, it is nice to think that someone might take something from it.

Just a random thought. Apparently I have been getting philosophical this week.

My sister is a very good baker too, and for my engagement party she made some phenomenal cakes. Earl Grey Cupcakes with Lavender frosting. I think that they have become a bit of a specialty of hers. I thought that I would try something similar because I thought the lavender was not too overpowering and the tea definitely shone through.

I wanted to try something a little bit more lavender focussed. I was looking for something delicate, not too overpowering and with a little bit of extra interest. I found these! They are absolutely delicious. As someone who loves chocolate, I am trying to break out of a single mould and try a few new flavours. I love something which has a unique take on a delicious treat and this recipe had my mouth watering from the title.

I bought really expensive lavender from a specialty foods store before I found out that my favourite shop T2 stocks a Just Lavender tisane which was practically identical, but so much cheaper. I knew hanging out in tea shops would pay off!

This is definitely a recipe to try out!

Honey Lavender Cupcakes with Honey Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups of plain flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons dried lavender flowers
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 125g butter (a stick), room temperature
• 1 cup of castor sugar
• 1/4 cup honey (I used apple blossom!)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup of milk

For the frosting:

• 250g cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/3 cup of honey
• 1/2 cup of icing sugar

Method:

Preheat the oven to 180’C (350’F). Line muffin tins with paper cases. (I needed 18 cases).

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, lavender, salt and baking powder. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until it becomes paler, then add the honey and vanilla and continue to mix until well combined. Add the eggs, one at a time beating well after each addition. Add half the flour, mix until just combined, then add the milk. Once just mixed, add the remaining flour and beat only until the mixture is smooth. Do not overbeat.

Transfer the batter evenly into the prepared tins and bake for 16-18 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Remove the cakes from the oven and allow to cool.

For the frosting, beat the cream cheese until it is smooth in texture, and then add in the honey and mix until well combined. Add the sugar and continue to beat until the icing is smooth.

Ice the cooled cakes and decorate as desired. Share with friends and family, or eat them all yourself!

-Sam